Foot & Ankle Videos: Fracture
Joystick of the Talus for Correcting Malalignment During Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis: A Surgical Tip
Ankle arthrodesis has been widely reported as an effective solution in treating tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis. The arthroscopic tibiotalar approach for arthrodesis has also been proven to give excellent results in terms of bone fusion rates and reduction of wound-related pain and complications. Historically, ankle malalignment has represented one of the main contraindications for the arthroscopic procedure, but interestingly some investigators have shown that the coronal joint deformity may be addressed arthroscopically as well.Treatment of Malunited Calcaneal Fracture With Posttraumatic Subtalar Osteoarthritis Using Lateral Endoscopic Calcaneoplasty With Posterior Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis
Malunion of calcaneal fractures is a common complication after improper nonoperative treatment. It may develop into posttraumatic subtalar osteoarthritis, lateral calcaneal wall prominence, and severe foot deformities. This Technical Note reports the technical aspects of lateral endoscopic calcaneoplasty with posterior arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis for the treatment of malunited calcaneal fracture with lateral calcaneal wall prominence and posttraumatic subtalar osteoarthritis. This technique was chosen because it can reduce the risk of wound complication compared with a conventional lateral extensile approach.Arthroscopic Treatment of a Malunion of a Posteromedial Tubercle Fracture of the Talus
Posteromedial ankle impingement is rare and uncommonly associated with a fracture. Bone resection of the fragment is the recommended treatment. In this report, we describe the step-by-step surgical technique of arthroscopic resection of a malunion of a posteromedial talus fracture to correct the impingement.Fibular Intra-articular Resection During Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis: The Surgical Technique
Ankle arthrodesis is still considered the gold standard in the treatment of advanced painful ankle osteoarthritis. More than 3 decades ago, it was performed under arthroscopy; thereafter, many authors have reported excellent results and a low complication rate. Despite the significant improvements in surgical techniques, nonunion remains a problematic and relatively frequent event. This is one of the reasons the research is constantly active in this field. Ten years ago, a fibular resection during ankle arthrodesis was, for the first time, described in the literature as a means to correct malalignment in varus cases.Anterolateral Arthroscopic Posterior Subtalar Arthrodesis: The Surgical Technique
The effectiveness of subtalar arthrodesis has been well documented in treating degenerative subtalar joint disease. The arthroscopic subtalar approach for arthrodesis has also been proved to give excellent results in terms of bone fusion rates and reduction of wound-related pain and complications. To date, the main concerns about arthroscopy have regarded incision-related neurologic complications such as lesions of the tibial, fibular, and sural nerves. In this context, we present a 2-portal lateral (anterior and middle) approach to arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis, recently documented in the literature, that provides similar excellent access to the joint with a lower risk of nerve damage.Ankle Arthroscopy With Microfracture for Osteochondral Defects of the Talus
Therapeutic arthroscopy with microfracture leads to fibrocartilaginous repair and is an effective treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus. A full diagnostic arthroscopy is performed, and then attention is turned to the osteochondral defect. We describe in detail patient positioning, ankle distraction, portal placement, steps of the diagnostic arthroscopy, and the technique of microfracture. We then discuss the special considerations to be taken regarding the use of a distractor, protection of neurovascular structures, and the indications for microfracture.Posterior Ankle Arthroscopic Reduction With Internal Fixation
Current surgical techniques in ankle fracture management now include arthroscopic-assisted reduction and internal fixation. The need for minimally invasive fracture reduction techniques, which preserve soft tissue envelops and assists in overall anatomic reduction, can be refined and improved. The ankle is an ideal anatomic location for arthroscopic-assisted reduction and internal fixation due to the high incidence of intra-articular pathology and the poor long-term sequela of nonanatomic reduction.Simplified Setup to Achieve Distraction for Toe Arthroscopy
Toe arthroscopy has historically had limited applications but is beginning to emerge as a viable treatment option for select toe pathologies, and continues to have expanding indications as technology and techniques improve. Toe arthroscopy has used a multitude of distraction techniques to perform the procedures but all have had limited success. Thus, we propose a simple toe arthroscopy distraction technique that uses an external positioning arm to allow the surgeon to apply manual traction in multiple positions without the use of an assistant, external weights, or any reprocessed sterile equipment.Arthroscopically Assisted Open Reduction–Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures: Significance of the Arthroscopic Ankle Drive-through Sign
Standalone open reduction–internal fixation (ORIF) of unstable ankle fractures is the current standard of care. Intraoperative stress radiographs are useful for assessing the extent of ligamentous disruption, but arthroscopic visualization has been shown to be more accurate. Concomitant arthroscopy at the time of ankle fracture ORIF is useful for accurately diagnosing and managing syndesmotic and deltoid ligament injuries. The arthroscopic ankle drive-through sign is characterized by the ability to pass a 2.9-mm shaver (Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA) easily through the medial ankle gutter during arthroscopy, which is not usually possible with both an intact deltoid ligament and syndesmosis.Simple 1-Step Ankle Arthroscopy Distraction
Ankle arthroscopy has emerged as a viable treatment option for multiple ankle pathologies and continues to have expanding indications as technology and techniques improve. Historically, ankle arthroscopy used skeletal traction, and it has transitioned to noninvasive soft-tissue distraction because of high rates of iatrogenic complications. Although soft-tissue distraction has decreased complications, it continues to be both cumbersome and time-consuming. Thus we propose a 1-step simple ankle arthroscopy distraction technique that uses an external positioning arm to allow the surgeon to apply manual traction in multiple positions without the use of any reprocessed sterile equipment.Ankle Arthroscopy for Ankle Fractures
In many patients who undergo open reduction–internal fixation of ankle fractures, there is a failure to achieve good clinical outcomes despite radiographic evidence of anatomic reduction. One possible reason for this is the high incidence of concomitant intra-articular pathology associated with ankle fractures that may go unrecognized using traditional open approaches. Arthroscopy in the setting of acute operative management of ankle fractures provides a means to completely assess intra-articular pathology, as well as provide direct therapeutic intervention in many instances.Arthroscopic Reduction and Internal Fixation for Fracture of the Lateral Process of the Talus
Fractures of the lateral process of the talus (LPT) are relatively rare. We describe arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation for a type I fracture of the LPT according to the Hawkins classification. Preoperative computed tomography is necessary to evaluate the type and displacement of the LPT fracture because this type of fracture is often overlooked on a plain radiograph. The ankle is approached through a standard medial portal as the working portal and an anterolateral portal as the viewing portal.Arthroscopic Excision of Bone Fragments in a Neglected Fracture of the Lateral Process of the Talus in a Junior Soccer Player
Fractures of the lateral process of the talus are uncommon and often overlooked. Typically, they are found in adult snowboarders. We report the case of an 11-year-old male soccer player who complained of lateral ankle pain after an inversion injury 6 months earlier. He did not respond to conservative treatment and thus underwent arthroscopic excision of fragments of the talar lateral process. The ankle was approached through standard medial and anterolateral portals. A 2.7-mm-diameter 30° arthroscope was used.Arthroscopic Treatment of Talar Body Fractures
Talar fractures can be severe injuries with complications leading to functional disability. Open reduction–internal fixation remains the treatment of choice for displaced talar fractures. Arthroscopic evaluation of the fracture and articular surfaces can play an important role in the treatment of these fractures. Arthroscopic reduction–internal fixation (ARIF) is increasingly used for certain intra-articular fracture types through the body. The minimally invasive nature of ARIF and high accuracy are enviable attributes of an evolving technique.Arthroscopy-Assisted Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Nail Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures: Description of a Minimally Invasive Procedure
When one is surgically managing an unstable ankle fracture, anatomic reduction of the syndesmosis is typically accomplished using an open surgical approach. We propose an arthroscopically assisted technique that restores normal anatomy while using a percutaneously placed intramedullary nail to fix the fibula. The patient is positioned supine, and the ankle is placed under traction by use of a tensor bandage. Standard anteromedial and anterolateral arthroscopy portals are used. The joint is examined for bony, ligamentous, and chondral injury.
